How is insomnia treated?

Insomnia can mean difficulty falling asleep, repeated waking, waking too early, or sleep that leaves you unrefreshed. A clinician will ask about your routine, mood, medicines, caffeine, alcohol, pain, breathing, and daytime effects. Difficulty Sleeping may be linked with stress, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, or a disrupted body clock such as Jet Lag.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia helps change habits and thoughts that maintain poor sleep. It may include a consistent wake time, reducing time awake in bed, and relaxation skills. Sleeping tablets are not usually the first long-term approach and need careful review because of side effects and dependence concerns.

Keep the same wake time, get daylight and activity during the day, and make the bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable. Avoid caffeine late in the day and alcohol as a sleep aid. If you cannot sleep, do something calm in dim light and return to bed when sleepy. Keep a sleep diary to show patterns.

Arrange a review when sleep problems persist, affect work or driving, or come with daytime sleepiness, fatigue, headache, or difficulty concentrating. Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm, severe agitation, or confusion. Do not drive if you are struggling to stay awake.

Ask what may be disrupting your sleep, whether therapy is available, and whether a medicine or health condition needs attention. Share your sleep diary and mention snoring, unusual movements, Feeling Anxious, or mood changes.